Author:
Lewis Jackson
Date Of Creation:
6 May 2021
Update Date:
1 July 2024
Content
If someone close to you is suffering from depression, not only will that person feel tired, confused, and sad, but you too. If you wish you could help that person, be sure to give you advice and action. Even if the person doesn't seem to be listening, they may actually be working hard. If you are looking for ways to help someone cope with depression, these tips are for you.
Steps
Part 1 of 5: Talking to Someone You Cared About Depression
Call for help right away if your friend is attempting suicide. If this person is thinking of committing suicide, get help immediately by calling 115-Medical or taking the person to the nearest emergency room.
- In the US, you can call 911 or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at -800-273-TALK (8255) or 800-SUICIDE (800-784-2433).
Observe symptoms. If you feel that someone is depressed, take a rough look at their behavior to get a feel for the level of depression that person is suffering from. Make a list of the symptoms you notice.- Expressing unexcused, persistent, and persistent sadness
- Loss of interest or pleasure in activities that they used to enjoy
- A marked loss of appetite and / or weight loss
- Binge eating and / or weight gain
- Disrupted sleep habits (either being unable to sleep or sleeping too much)
- Fatigue and / or loss of energy
- Remarkably prone to agitation or moodiness
- Feelings of worthlessness and / or excessive guilt
- Difficulty concentrating or hesitant or hesitant
- Or have repeated thoughts about death or suicide, trying to commit suicide or making a plan to commit suicide
- The above symptoms may last for 2 weeks or more. They may disappear and come back. This is called a "repetition state". In this situation, it is not a temporary manifestation, but also intense mood swings and effects on activities in everyday life.
- If your friend suffers the loss of a loved one or some shock, he or she may exhibit symptoms of depression rather than medical depression.
Talk to someone you care about your depression. When you realize that the person is suffering from depression, have an open and honest conversation with them.- If your loved one doesn't admit that he or she has a serious problem, it can be very difficult for him or her to feel better. You should be able to talk to the person's trusted loved one. Maybe they will handle l1y better.
Explain that depression is a medical disorder. Depression is an illness that can be diagnosed and cured by a doctor, so reassure the person that the problem they are having is just depression.
Be consistent. Tell the person you're worried about them. Don't let the person avoid the serious problem they are having by saying "bad month". If they try to change the subject, lead the conversation back to the person's emotional state. But if the person is uncomfortable (obviously not wanting to talk), stop and wait for another chance to talk.
Avoid conflicts. Note that people with depression suffer from emotional problems and are in a vulnerable state. Even though you need to be determined, don't be too heavy at first.
- Don't start by saying, “You have depression. How are we going to deal with it? ”. Instead, say, “Recently, I noticed you seem upset. You must be having something, right? ”.
- Patience. Sometimes it takes a while for the other person to open up, so give them the time they need, just try not to let the person avoid the conversation.
Understand that you cannot “cure” depression. Surely you want to help your friend as much as possible. But there is no simple way to "cure" this disease. What you can do is encourage the person to accept the help of others and be there when the person needs it. However, the end result still depends on the efforts of the patient.
Discuss the next steps. When your friend realizes that he or she is depressed, you can talk about how to start dealing with it.Do they want to talk to a counselor? Do you want to see a doctor and get a prescription for treatment? Are there any problems in the person's life that make the person depressed? Is the person content with his life or his way of life? advertisement
Part 2 of 5: Helping Someone You Care About Getting Help
Admit that the person should seek specialist help. Before you both try to deal with problems on your own, know that untreated depression is very serious. You can still help your friend, but that person should also find a mental health professional. There are many different therapists, each with a different skill or expertise, including a counseling psychologist, clinical psychologist, or psychiatrist. You may see a combination of one or more specialists.
- Counseling Psychologists: Counseling psychology is a field of treatment that focuses on the skills to support and help the patient get through difficult times in their lives. This type of treatment can be short or long term, often problem-specific and goal-oriented.
- Clinical psychologist: A person trained to perform tests to confirm a diagnosis, and as a result, they tend to focus more on psychopathology, or to study good psychiatric disorders. behavior.
- Psychiatrists: They may use psychotherapy and scales or tests in the treatment, but a patient's usual option is to investigate drug use. Almost only psychiatrists are authorized to prescribe medications for people with depression.
Refer the person to several doctors. To help your friend find a counselor, you should seek referrals from friends, family, religious community leaders, your local community mental health center, or medical doctor.
- In the United States, some professional associations, such as the American Psychological Association, may provide a web search to identify doctor members in your area.
Make an appointment to see the person on behalf of the doctor. If your friend is hesitant to see a medical professional, you can make an appointment for them. Sometimes taking your first steps is really not easy, so the person may need your help.
Go with the person you are interested in on your first date. Your friends will feel more secure when they see the doctor together.
- If you talk to a mental health professional in person, you will have the opportunity to briefly talk about the person's symptoms. But be aware that counselors often prefer to talk to patients privately.
Encourage the person to seek good advice. If the first consultation doesn't work, encourage them to find another counselor. Negative counseling experience can discourage them from continuing, but remember that not all mental health professionals are equal. If they are not a good match for this consultant, you should help them find new people.
Recommend different treatments. There are three main types of treatment that provide a stable effect for the patient, namely cognitive behavioral therapy, communicative therapy and psychodynamic therapy. Depending on the patient's condition, which type of treatment will be suitable for them.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): The goal of CBT is to challenge and alter beliefs, attitudes and prejudices - the underlying causes of depressive symptoms - and bring about change. for inappropriate behavior.
- Interpersonal therapy (IPT): IPT focuses on addressing life changes, building social skills, and dealing with communication problems that may have contributed to depression. . IPT can be especially effective in the case of recent depression that comes from a shock (such as the death of a loved one).
- Therapeutic kinetics: The goal of this form of treatment is to help the patient recognize and cope with feelings stemming from unresolved conflict. Therapeutic psychodynamics focuses on the feeling of unconsciousness.
Propose the possibility of taking the drug. Antidepressants can help improve the person's mood while they are going through counseling. Antidepressants work on the brain's neurotransmitters to try to counteract how the brain makes and / or uses neurotransmitters. Antidepressants are classified based on the neurotransmitters they act on.
- The most common types of antidepressants are SSRIs, SNRIs, MAOIs, and Tricyclics. You can find the names of some of the most widely used by looking up the term "antidepressants" or "antidepressants" online.
- If the antidepressant alone is ineffective, your treating doctor may recommend an antipsychotic, including three types: aripiprazole, quetiapine, and risperidone. Your doctor may recommend an appropriate antidepressant / antipsychotic (fluoxetine / olanzapine) combination therapy to be used in conjunction with a standard antidepressant for treatment, if only antidepressants are used. depression is ineffective.
- The psychiatrist may suggest trying several different drugs until one works. Sometimes antidepressants can have the opposite results, so it's important to monitor the effects of taking them. You and the sick person should pay special attention to any timely negative or unusual mood swings. Often the problem will be resolved by switching to another class of drugs.
Combine medications with psychotherapy. To maximize the effectiveness of the drug, patients should maintain regular visits to a psychological health professional while still using the drug.
Encourage patience. Both you and the patient should be patient because the counseling and use of drugs takes long-term results. Patients will participate in regular counseling sessions, for at least a few months, before seeing any effectiveness. Don't give up early as every effort takes time to work.
- Usually it takes at least three months to see any lasting effects from antidepressants.
Determine if you need consent to discuss treatment. Rely on the relationship between you and the person to see if you need permission to talk with that person's doctor. Often the information and medical records of others are confidential and the more special attention is paid to private data related to psychological health.
- The person will most likely have to write a consent form before you can discuss their treatment with your doctor.
- If the patient is a minor (under the age of marriage), the parent or guardian will be allowed to discuss treatment.
Make a list of drugs and treatments. Compile a list of medications the patient is taking, including dosage. Also make a list of the treatments the person is receiving, this will ensure that they are pursuing treatment and taking medication on schedule.
Contact other people in the personal support network. You should not try to help sick people alone. Get in touch with a trusted family member, friend or religious leader. If the person with the depression is an adult, be sure to get his or her OK before talking to others or asking for help. Through talking to others, you will gain more information and an overview of the patient, and you will feel less alone in this situation.
- Be cautious when you talk to others about someone's depression. Outsiders can be quick to criticize if they do not fully understand the issue. You should be careful when choosing someone to talk to.
Part 3 of 5: Chat with the People you care about
Listenable. The best thing you can do is listen to your crush. Be prepared to listen to anything and try not to be too shocked, even if it's really horrible, as this will disappoint them. Be open, thoughtful, and listen without judgment.
- If the person doesn't want to talk, try asking softly to help them open up.For example, ask if their last week was okay.
- When the person tells you a sad story, encourage them by saying, "It must be difficult to say this", or "Thank you so much for opening up to me."
Put your full attention in the conversation with the sick person. Put away your phone, make eye contact with them, and show that you are putting 100% effort into the conversation.
Know what to say. What a person suffering from depression needs the most is love and understanding. In addition to being a good listener, you also need to be alert and smart about what you will say to someone with depression. Here are a few statements that may help:
- You are not alone in this, I will be with you.
- I know you have a real illness and that is also the reason why your current feelings and thoughts.
- You may not believe yourself right now, but you should feel better.
- I may not be able to understand how you really feel, but I am very worried and want to help you.
- Not only you, but your life is also very important to me.
Don't talk to someone with depression in the same way: "Do not be like that anymore". Telling someone "stop being like that" or "cheer up" usually doesn't help. Be more empathetic. Imagine feeling like the whole world is against you and everything collapsed, what would you want to hear most? Know that depression is real and that sick people suffer. Don't say things like:
- That's all you think so.
- Everyone has to go through times like this.
- You'll be OK. Don't worry anymore.
- Be positive.
- Life is so precious, why do you want to die?
- Don't be crazy.
- Why are you like that?
- Shouldn't you be feeling better?
Don't argue about the feelings of the depressed person. Don't try to draw the sick person away from their feelings. These feelings may be unreasonable, but it is not a good way to say they are wrong or argue with them. Instead, you can say, “I am so sorry to hear that you are sad. Is there something I can do to help you?
- Realize that the person may be dishonest about their negative feelings. Many people with depression are embarrassed and lie about their condition. If you ask "are you okay?", They will say "okay", think of another way of asking about the person's true feelings.
Help the patient to be more optimistic. When you talk to them, try to keep the conversation in the most positive direction possible. Don't get too excited, just show the person a better way of seeing their life and situation. advertisement
Part 4 of 5: Being with the sick person
Keep in regular contact. Call the person, write a greeting card, give them a letter of encouragement, or visit them, to show that you will always be with them. There are many ways to stay in touch with someone you care about.
- Try to see them as much as you can, but don't upset them.
- If you are busy, you can email them to ask.
- If you can't call the person every day, you should chat through text as often as possible.
Take the sick person for a walk. They will feel better, even if only a little, if they spend a little time outside. Even so, for someone who is going through a depressive episode, it can be extremely difficult to start going out. Ask them to do something that they can enjoy in the fresh air.
- Not enough exercise to run a maraton, just walk together for 20 minutes, the person will feel better after some outdoor physical activity.
Immersed in nature. Several studies have shown that being in nature can reduce stress and improve mood. Also according to these studies, walking under a canopy of trees can help the human mind reach a state of meditation, help deep relax and improve mood.
Enjoy the sun together. Sunlight increases vitamin D content, which contributes to improved mood. Even just sitting on the couch and soaking in the sun for a few minutes can help a lot.
Encourage the person to pursue new things. They will forget their depression, even for a moment, if there is something to do and look forward to. However, you shouldn't force them to skydive or learn Japanese, but just encourage them to have some hobby to divert their focus away from depression.
- Find some literary inspiration for the person to read. You can read together or discuss a book together.
- Bring over a movie directed by your favorite. They may be interested in a new genre of movie, and stay with you while watching the movie.
- Try encouraging the person to show off their artistic soul. Painting or writing poetry can help the person express themselves better and are activities that you can do together.
Note the patient's progress. Whenever the person achieves a goal, acknowledge and congratulate them. Even a small step forward, like going to a bath or shopping, can be very meaningful for someone suffering from depression.
Improve the daily life of the sick. You can encourage them to try new things and adapt to the outside world, but sometimes it is as simple as being by your side and doing everyday tasks together, to help them feel less lonely. .
- Joining them in everyday activities like preparing lunch or watching TV also helps a lot.
- You can also reduce the burden of the depressed person by helping them with some simple things. Examples include doing chores, shopping, cooking, cleaning or doing laundry.
- Depending on the situation, giving the person loving gestures (such as a hug) will help them feel better.
Part 5 of 5: Avoid Exhaustion for Caring for Others
Sometimes you should stop. You may feel frustrated when your comforting words of encouragement and sincere counsel are responded with indifference or opposition. It is important not to let your stomach go, as these are only symptoms of depression, not your own. If you feel too tired, depleted, take a break and spend time doing things that you are inspired to do and love.
- On the other hand, it is especially important to live with the sick person and realize that she cannot leave them.
- You should direct your frustration on the illness, not the person.
- Even if you don't see each other, make sure to ask at least once a day to find out if they're coping.
Take good care of yourself. Sometimes out of concern for others that you forget about yourself. Not only that, but being with someone with frequent depression, your mood is pulled down and can cause your own problems. In this case, try to take feelings of frustration, helplessness, and anger perfectly.
- If you have a lot of personal problems to deal with, you may be overwhelmed by helping that person. Don't take other people's problems as a way to avoid your own.
- Realize when your efforts to help others are preventing you from enjoying your life or caring for other important things. If the person you care about becomes too dependent on you, your health will suffer.
- If you feel like you are being seriously affected by the person's depression, seek help. Finding your own mentor is also a good idea.
Make time for private life. Even if you are a great friend who physically and mentally help out the person you care about, make time for yourself to relax and enjoy life.
- Meet friends and family members who aren't depressed, and enjoy spending time with them.
Healthy living. You should go out more, be it training for a 5,000 meter jogging event, or walk around the farmer's market, doing all that is necessary to maintain inner strength.
Take time to laugh. If you can't make the person laugh at all, spend time with happy people, watch a funny joke, or read some funny stories online.
Don't feel guilty about enjoying life. The person you care about is depressed, but you don't, and you have the right to enjoy your own life.Remember that only when you are in your best shape can you help others.
Update knowledge about depression. If someone you know has depression, you “must” have a clear understanding of what they are going through. Most people don't understand what a disorder like depression is, and this general lack of knowledge makes life much more difficult for people with depression. Just having someone who doesn't judge or criticize, someone more empathetic can literally be a lifesaver for any person with depression literally. Take the time to learn about the disease and talk to a mental health professional, or maybe someone who has had depression or a similar disorder. advertisement
Advice
- Reassure the person you care about that they will never be alone and that you will always be there when they need someone to talk to.
- Let the person know that you understand their problem. Don't let them think they are your burden.
- Although they may not seem listening to you, they do. They may just feel weak in front of you and / or lost in their own thoughts.
- Don't give advice to make them feel better, as they may not appreciate being told - they may just need a friend, so stay with them.
- Give them space when they need it, and don't overdo it.
- Make sure your ex knows that you care for their health and well-being, and that you value them.
Warning
- In an emergency situation, if you can, try to call your health care professional or suicide hotline before calling the police. There have been a few cases of emotional crisis where police intervention caused injury or even death. If possible, call someone you know has the expertise and training to deal with the correct mental health issue or mental crisis.
- Monitor possible suicidal manifestations or threats. Statements like "I wish I were dead," or "I don't want to be here anymore" "must" get special attention. People with depression don't talk about death to get attention. If the person wants to commit suicide, be sure to notify the doctor or other professional immediately.
